LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Tom Galloway upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2016 Veteran of the Year Award by the
Oswego City Veterans Council

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Tom Galloway
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2016 Veteran of
the Year Award by the Oswego City Veterans Council on Saturday, June 11,
2016, at the Oswego American Legion, Oswego, New York; and
WHEREAS, The respected Veteran of the Year Award recognizes individ-
uals who have served honorably in the military, as well as those who
have contributed to the betterment of their community after being
discharged; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 19, Tom Galloway enlisted in the United States
Army as a paratrooper and proudly served his country during the Korean
War; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, Tom Galloway was deployed to Korea, joining up with
the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, a commando unit designed to
move fast and hit the enemy hard, and which regularly was under fire
from heavy artillery; he made it through without a scratch; and
WHEREAS, After joining the Military Police and during his second
deployment to Korea, Tom Galloway was involved in a life-changing combat
experience on August 19, 1953, which left him with major injuries; he
was treated at the division's M.A.S.H. unit and later received a visit
from then-Brigadier General William Westmoreland; and
WHEREAS, For his courageous service during that combat operation,
General Westmoreland would recommend Tom Galloway for the Soldier's
Medal for Heroism; more than 40 years later, then Governor George Pataki
would similarly honor him with the New York State Conspicuous Service
Cross; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Tom Galloway's service also earned him the
Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations
Service Ribbon and Good Conduct Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Following the completion of his military service, Tom Gallo-
way returned to Oswego, and accepted a position as a technology teacher
at Oswego High School; in 1965, he entered the real estate and insurance
business, and Galloway Real Estate grew from a one-man office to be one
of the most prominent real estate firms in Oswego County; and
WHEREAS, Tom Galloway never forgot his former brothers-in-arms; he
kept in contact with them and considered them his special family; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Oswego American Legion and VFW for more than
60 years, Tom Galloway has continued to work to keep the memory alive of
veterans past and present; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Tom Galloway along with other Oswego veterans, peti-
tioned the City of Oswego to create a living memorial for veterans and
their families; the project became the Trees for Vets Program, which has
installed almost 100 trees and bronze plaques along the sidewalks of
Bridge Street in Oswego; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Tom
Galloway has demonstrated his love for his country and merits forever-
more, the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and
thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for
their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Tom Galloway upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2016 Veteran of the Year Award by the Oswego City Veterans Council;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tom Galloway.